The Scottish Hospitality Group (SHG) – which has members including prominent businesses McGinty’s Group and Signature Group – is calling on hospitality businesses across the region to back a rates cut in the upcoming Scottish Budget.
The Scottish Government is set to unveil its tax and spend plans for next year at Holyrood on December 4, in a statement from Finance Secretary Shona Robison.
Set up during the Covid 19 pandemic, the Scottish Hospitality Group is the voice of the hospitality sector in Scotland. SHG believes that with the right support in place from Scottish and UK governments, Scotland’s hospitality sector can grown and thrive, creating more jobs and supporting more communities.
In an open letter – which it is inviting any hospitality business and supportive individuals to sign today – SHG is calling for the introduction of a lower 35p poundage cost for all licensed premises in the forthcoming budget.
Co-owner and founding director of McGinty’s Group, Allan Henderson, said: “The existing non-domestic rates system unfairly penalises the hospitality sector, which is the lifeblood of our economy and our communities, here in the North-east and right across the country.
“The Scottish Hospitality Group is therefore asking the Scottish Government to support this vital sector by introducing an immediate reduction to 35p in the pound for all hospitality premises in the coming budget, while also urging them to act on a long-term replacement for the punitive business rates system.
“You can view and sign the open letter by clicking here.”